Dumbarton Homebase to close on Saturday

Dumbarton’s Homebase will close this week but there is still uncertainty over which firm is set to take over the premises.

The DIY superstore has now announced that Saturday, April 25, will be its final trading day in Dumbarton – four months after confirming the closure.

Homebase has also refused to reveal how many staff jobs are under threat but says efforts are being made to find alternative employment in neighbouring Homebase and Argos stores.

The two firms are owned by the same parent company, Home Retail Group, which says the closure is part of a nationwide cutback following a drop in sales.

Last year, the company confirmed that it was consulting with staff about plans to lease the store at St James Retail Park to another retailer.

It said staff would be offered an inter-view for a job in the new store but didn’t reveal which firm was poised to take over the premises.

After being asked by the Lennox Herald for an update on the situation last week, a spokeswoman evaded questions over which firm is set to take over. She also would not reveal how many staff are to be affected by the closure.

She said: “Following a consultation, Homebase can confirm that its store in Dumbarton at St James Retail Park will close on April 25, 2015.

“Discussions are being held with colleagues to find alternative employment in neighbouring Homebase and Argos stores.

“We remain committed to serving the local community, with customers able to visit our neighbouring Homebase store in Greenock (7.8 miles).”

The move comes after Home Retail Group revealed last year that one in four of its 323 branches will close by 2019 after warning the DIY retailer had to face up to the “rise of a generation less skilled in DIY projects”.

Source : Jenny Foulds - Daily Record
www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/dumbartons-homebase-store-close-good-5567037